Table Of ContentCreate PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer
(http://www.novapdf.com) One
"You’re a blood-sucking vampire, Gloriana St. Clair. When are you going to
start acting like one?”
I snarled and showed some fang. “Careful, fur face. You really don’t want to
make me mad.” Yeah, I’m a vampire. Forget stereotypes. I’m blond, blue-eyed
and twenty something with a, uh, voluptuous figure. Vamps are everywhere and
you won’t have a clue. We’re pretty good at blending with mortals and if we’re
caught in a compromising situation, like say with our fangs in your neck . . . ?
Well, there’s always the whammy. We can make fang marks disappear along
with your memory. Hmmm. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?
“Come on, Glory. I’m hurting here.” Valdez talks in my head. A lot.
“You’re my dog-slash-bodyguard, Valdez. You’re supposed to be taking care of
me.”
“I will. I am. Now turn around.”
“I’m not going back to the store. Forget it. I got the essentials—cream rinse and
flea shampoo.” I gasped when my stomach cramped again. “Those damned
Cheetos almost killed me.”
“I’m not asking you to eat any. You expect me to give them up just because you
can’t handle them?”
“I had a near-death experience.” Who knew a Big Grab of Cheetos could be so
lethal? If you know anything about vampires, you know we can dish it out, but
we can’t or won’t take it. I’m an old vampire. Like, “I hung out with Billy
Shakespeare” old. I knew better , but just once I’d wanted a little crunch in my
diet. I gave up biting mortals, mostly, ages ago. But chugging the bottled fake
stuff just hadn’t been cutting it for me for a long, long time.
I wheeled my aging Suburban into the parking lot behind my apartment building
where I have my shop, Vintage Vamp’s Emporium (cute, huh?) on the ground
floor. The security lights were out again. Not a good sign. Valdez had taken an
arrow in the hip back here. An arrow intended for me. I slowed down to a crawl,
fought another pain, this one in my head for a change, then pulled into my
parking spot.
Crunch, thump and the car lurched to a stop. Oops.
“Now you’ve done it. Stay here and lock yourself in.” Valdez opened the
passenger door (don’t ask) and hopped out, obviously on high alert. Was this a
trap? Everyone I know realizes that’s my parking spot. Was some stake-
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer
(http://www.novapdf.com) happy vamp hunter waiting to get me when I checked
out whatever I’d hit?
“I’m not picking up on a threat. But we’re in deep shit anyway. ” Valdez stopped
“I’m not picking up on a threat. But we’re in deep shit anyway. ” Valdez stopped
next to my door. “Back up a foot, then come see.”
As soon as I turned off the engine, another sharp pain hit me right between my
eyes. What the hell? I never have headaches unless I’m trying to block one of
my mind-reading friends. And the Cheetos didn’t mess with my head.
Instead I’m stuck with what I’ll call the Cheeto bulge. I’m curvy anyway, but
since I did the dirty with the snacks, I’ve developed a new curve in my tummy
area. I unlocked the doors and got out.
Thanks to my superior vamp night vision I could see that the Suburban looked
undamaged, but the crushed metal between the car and the fence had once been,
gulp, a motorcycle. And not one of those cheap bikes, but, double gulp, a classic
Harley. And I know about these things. Had a boyfriend once who’d been into
those. Mortal. And very last century. One thing I try to do is stay current. I may
be ancient, but I don’t ever intend to look or act that way.
“What the hell have you done, Gloriana?”
I turned around, fully prepared to do some kind of vamp whammy until I could
figure out how to make this right without the involvement of law enforcement or
insurance adjusters. One look at the furious Harley owner and I knew the
whammy wasn’t going to cut it.
Richard Mainwaring is a vamp too. A friend, sort of, but also a scary dude.
Anyway, he was staring at the mangled mess like, if he’d been any less pure
macho male, he would have shed a few tears. I wanted to cry too. Maybe I could
entice him upstairs for a bottle of Fangtastic (my blood substitute of choice
lately) and an all-out sob fest.
“I didn’t see it. And this is my parking spot.” Yep, I was defensive.
“There’s no assigned parking here.” He tenderly set the fallen motorcycle back
on its wheels, the effort doing nice things to his biceps. The Harley wobbled for
a moment and I held my breath until it seemed steady.
“But it’s for residents only. You don’t live here, do you?” He’d been an item
with my roommate, Florence da Vinci, until recently, but the last word on that
subject was that Flo had dumped him. Had they made up and he was moving
into Flo’s bedroom?
into Flo’s bedroom?
“No. And I’m not with Florence.” He had a grim look. And don’t you hate the
fact that he’d read my mind? It’s a bad vamp habit that I refuse to acquire, at
least not on a regular basis. And I’d had run-ins with Richard before. His
thoughts are never up for grabs.
“Then you have no business parking here. Visitor parking is in front of the
building.”
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer
(http://www.novapdf.com) He knelt down to examine what had been the rear
wheel of the Harley. Hmm.
He did fill out a pair of jeans nicely. Not that I should be noticing that right now.
More to the point, he had a set of shoulders on him, clearly showcased in a
sleeveless leather vest, shoulders that would have done a line-backer proud. I
have vamp strength, but this guy could have thrown me across the parking lot
without breaking a sweat.
He turned and gave me a measuring look. Oops. I think I came up short. I
unzipped my jacket, a cozy velour hoodie that matched my turquoise sweat pants
and sleeveless tank. He could outmuscle me, but I’ve got a few weapons of my
own. Maybe if I flashed a little cleavage . . . Mainwaring’s a former priest turned
vamp, but I know for a fact that he’s very into women.
“Gloriana, how could you do this? Didn’t you see the space was already
occupied?” Mainwaring has a slight British accent, white blond hair and the kind
of eyes that make you think of clear skies. That is, if you can remember that far
back. Me, I haven’t seen daylight personally since 1604. Sigh.
“It’s dark back here.” I looked down at my dog, pressed against my right leg.
“And Valdez and I were having a discussion . . .”
“Don’t lay this off on me, Blondie.” Valdez chuffed and stepped away. “You
were driving this heap, not me.”
I’m not the only one who can hear Valdez and Mainwaring gave the dog a look,
I’m not the only one who can hear Valdez and Mainwaring gave the dog a look,
like—who’s the master here? Good question. Instead of growling at Mainwaring
like a good guard dog, Valdez sat down and scratched his left ear. We really
needed that flea shampoo.
“Look. The Harley is, I mean was, black without a lot of chrome or anything.
Plus the security lights are out. Maybe we should hustle our butts inside to
discuss this. Hunters could be stalking us as we speak.” I did feel . . .
something out here.
Mainwaring stood and scanned the area with a narrow-eyed look that meant
business if anyone dared make a move on us. Finally he shook his head.
“We’re safe enough. But perhaps you’d like to go inside, closer to your
checkbook.”
“Ha. Ha.” I put my hand on his bulging bicep, fluttered my eyelashes and leaned
in to give him a cleavage close-up. Mainwaring just glared. Ever try charming an
uptight man with a wounded Harley? But charm was all I had at the moment.
Unlike a lot of vamps, I’m not rich. I work for a living. This century I started my
own business, and it got off to a great start, but there’s overhead, stock to buy,
my own living expenses . . . Well, you get the picture.
Obviously, I don’t have enough in my checking account to pay for Richie Rich’s
Harley. Hey, I buy generic cream rinse. What does that tell you?
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer
(http://www.novapdf.com)
“Now, Richard.” I smiled what I hoped was sweetly. Not easy do when your
head feels like it’s about to split open. “I’m really, really sorry, but be
reasonable. You know I didn’t mean to hit the motorcycle. And I’m sure you can
afford—”
He turned and squatted next to the downed bike. I knew enough to shut up.
He turned and squatted next to the downed bike. I knew enough to shut up.
For a long moment, he just stared at it, then he picked up a piece of metal that
had fallen to the ground. He finally stood and walked closer to me, too close.
I held my ground, even though I could practically feel the hostility coming off of
Mr. Motorcycle.
“You need to be held accountable, Gloriana. Whether or not I can afford to
replace a 1946 Knucklehead is not the issue.”
“Excuse me?” I knew better than to grin, but it was a struggle. “Did you just call
your bike a knucklehead?”
“That’s the model. A 1946 Harley Davidson Knucklehead. Rare. Valuable.”
He was really in my space. “Maybe even irreplaceable.”
Oh, jeez. Heaven forbid I should have mangled a vintage cycle. And I did feel
bad, especially with Richard looming over me. I eased around him to check out
the damage.
“Look. I think it can be fixed. It’s mainly the back end that’s crunched. Why
don’t you get an estimate or two and then we’ll talk?” And maybe I could win
the lottery in the meantime.
“It isn’t the money, it’s the principle.” Richard was right behind me, peering
over my shoulder. He smelled like all vamps do, it’s a yummy scent that mere
mortals can’t even pick up. But Richard also had a nice sandalwood kind of
thing going on and a male musk that was having an unfortunate effect on my
sex-starved libido. I swore off men after my on-again, off-again maker and mate,
Jeremy Blade aka Angus Jeremiah Campbell III, and I faced death at stake-point
together on Halloween. I’d expected a little post-action celebration, one-on-one.
Instead, Jerry played hero to his best friend’s widow, who’s thin and beautiful,
and, well, thin. You get the idea. Okay, so I’d only been celibate a little over a
week, but vamps are sensual creatures.
Sometimes that’s a blessing, sometimes a curse.
So I was noticing Mainwaring’s male attributes. For a former priest, he was
surprisingly built. Though I’d heard he’d been a crusader back in the day.
surprisingly built. Though I’d heard he’d been a crusader back in the day.
“Crusader then galley slave.” His open vest brushed my back. “And I gave up
celibacy a long time ago.”
His breath stirred my hair, which should have been washed two days ago. I
inhaled and licked my lips. I’m really not good at celibacy.
I turned to face him. Diversion time. “Yeah? Bet that’s an interesting story.
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer
(http://www.novapdf.com) How’d you escape? I’ve heard most galley slaves die
at their oar.”
“Long story. And don’t change the subject.” He stared at the bike for a moment,
shook his head, then reached down to pick up his saddle bags.
Gee. He may have given up celibacy, but he wasn’t exactly falling under my
spell, either. Well, what did I expect? His last girlfriend had been my roommate,
Florence da Vinci, ancient vampire and certified sex goddess. Of course Flo isn’t
her real name, she’s paying homage to her favorite Italian city and one of her
former lovers. Flo is a love ’em and leave ’em kind of gal.
How could I compete with a woman who’d talked Leonardo into painting her
into the Last Supper at you know who’s right hand?
“I’ve got an appointment. We’ll discuss the Harley later.” With a glance at
Valdez, Richard strode off into the night.
“Well, you weren’t much help.” I fussed at Valdez while I grabbed the grocery
sacks out of the car. Most of the stuff was for the dog anyway. I order the
Fangtastic online. It’s not exactly a beverage you find at your local mini-mart.
“The guy was pissed. You can’t blame him.” Valdez looked mournfully at the
motorcycle. Even in dog form, he is such a guy. “You’re lucky he didn’t try to
knock you on your ass. If he’d raised his hand, then I’d have made my move.”
“Your move. Yeah, right.” I was being bitchy. Valdez did have some pretty
scary moves, which he’s saved me with more than once. But Mainwaring
dripped power like my old car did oil. I locked the car and headed for the back
dripped power like my old car did oil. I locked the car and headed for the back
entrance to the building, stopping when my head screamed again.
“Gloriana. Come to me.” A husky whisper made me drop my groceries and grab
my head. Who or what was this?
Valdez growled and looked around. “Something’s going on. Your head is killing
you. Because someone or something is trying to send you a message.”
“Not Blade.”
“Nope. This guy’s one bad actor, trying to get you to go somewhere. I’d like a
piece of him.” Valdez growled again and paced in a circle around me.
I held onto my head, queasy with pain. Obviously my dog reads my mind too.
I’m used to it. I’m also used to letting him take care of me. Like now.
“What’s wrong with a cell phone?” This didn’t make sense. Blade sent me
mental messages all the time and it didn’t hurt.
“Gloriana, come here.” Same damned compelling voice. I fought the urge to
follow it.
“I tell you. It ain’t Blade.” Valdez growled, deep and dangerous enough to give
me goose bumps. “Cut it out, whoever you are. Gloriana’s goin’ nowhere
Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer
(http://www.novapdf.com) and you don’t want to mess with me.” Valdez backed
up until his tail brushed my legs. “Suck it up, Blondie. Punch in the code. I
figure you’ll be okay once we get inside.”
I managed to grab my bags and deal with the code. Believe me, vamps only live
where there’s great security. We both scooted inside. As soon as the steel door
slammed shut, I did feel better.
“You okay now?” Valdez nudged me.
“Yeah. That was weird though.” I trudged up the stairs. You get that Valdez isn’t
really a dog, don’t you?
really a dog, don’t you?
“Careful, you’re smashing my Twinkies.” Valdez is into junk food and the
occasional steak. I get him what he wants since I know he’d lay down his life for
me. Previous Valdezes have. And isn’t that hellacious?
Not my idea, of course. But when Blade and I parted company the first time,
centuries ago, he’d insisted I needed a bodyguard. Jerry made me, so I give him
a certain amount of respect. Respect, not obedience. I do have my pride.
But I caved. Of course I sure wasn’t going to be saddled with a male guard, even
a cute one. That would’ve cramped my style, big time. And, trust me, Jerry
wasn’t going to send in a hunk of the month to be with me twenty-four seven.
Remember my celibacy issues?
So we’d settled on guard dogs, always named Valdez for some reason.
Recent ones have been shape-shifters, though Jerry forbids the guards to be
anything but dogs around me. Think Jerry’s jealous? Works for me. Anyway,
he’s got some kind of hold over the guys, this Valdez for sure. I don’t know
what kind of debt the V-man owes, but it’s made for some really fierce and loyal
protection.
“I’m okay. You think Mainwaring was doing that to me? Giving me a
headache?”
“He’s one tough dude and neither one of us needs to be making him mad. But
you had that headache before we hit the Harley. Remember?”
“Good point.” I threw up a block so Valdez couldn’t read my mind. I
remembered a night when Mainwaring showed me his scary side right here on
the stairs to my apartment. The worst part? He’d wiped Valdez’s memory.
Poor pup didn’t realize he’d been whammied into sitting meekly at the bottom of
the stairs while I’d fought off the Mainwaring mojo all by my lonesome.
“So it wasn’t Mainwaring.”
“Mainwaring? You’ve seen Ricardo?” Florence met us at the door and took one
of the bags from me. “Not that I care. I’m through with him.” ““You sure?
Because he parks like he lives here.”
